Optical display device

ABSTRACT

An optical display device comprises an assembly of a plurality of hollow, transparent, concentric spheres. The inner spheres are rotatably mounted with respect to the outer spheres. The spheres carry ornamental colored elements to present different optical displays when the spheres assume different positions with respect to each other. The assembly can be rotatably oscillated mechanically to produce continuously changing arrays of the ornamental elements.

United States Patent Horvath [451 Aug. 15, 1972 [54] OPTICAL DISPLAY DEVICE 3,137,966 6/1964 L0hr.. ..46/50 72 Inventor: Ti Horvath 9 R, 2,078,729 4/1937 Lemoine ..46/50 I 1 Brooklyn, {1223 3,303,582 2/1967 Farquhar .35/47 [22] Filed: June 8, 1970 OTHER PUBLICATIONS [211 App]. No.: 44,120 Farquhar Transparent Globes, 1964.

Primary Examiner-Robert W. Michell liil ll'fi'fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiii:iiiiii'iillfffffilioe1113i Examiner-Newman 58 Field of Search ..40/68, 33; 46/50; 272/8 D; Ammekmachek Saulsbury l [57] ABSTRACT [56] References Cited An optical display device comprises an assembly of a UNITED STATES PATENTS plurality of hollow, transparent, concentric spheres. The inner spheres are rotatably mounted with respect 3,063,163 11/1962 Dukes ..35/46 A to the outer spheres. The spheres carry ornamental 3,533,187 1970 Campbell X colored elements to present different optical displays Hammer X when the spheres assume different positions with 3,405,462 10/ 19 Belva at a] C Ux respect to each other. The assembly can be rotatably 3,204,964 9/1955 Geary ..35/46 X oscillated mechanically to produce continuously changing arrays of the ornamental elements. 501:136 7/1893 Gregory ..35/47 2 Claims, 23 Drawing Figures Patented Aug. 15, 1972 3,683,526

5 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. TIBOR HORVATH Patented Aug. 15, 1972 3,683,526

5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR.

TIBOR HORVATH ATTDRNE 5 Patented Aug. 15, 1972 3,683,52

5 Sheets-Sheet 4 I NYE XTOR.

TIBOR HORVATH Patented Aug. 15, 1972 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 TIBOR HORVATH 1%? A T TURN/f Y5 OPTICAL DISPLAY DEVICE I This invention relates to the art of optical display devices and more particularly concerns a device having a plurality of concentric hollow spheres rotatable with respect to each other.

According to the invention a first hollow, transparent, outer sphere is provided with diametrically opposed internal bearings. Inside this sphere is a second smaller transparent sphere concentric with the outer sphere and rotatably supported by diametrically opposed pivots engaged in the bearings of the first sphere.

The second sphere may also be provided with internal bearings diametrically opposite each other and spaced angularly from the pivots. A third transparent sphere may be disposed inside the second sphere. The third sphere will be provided with diametrically opposed pivots engaged in the bearings of the second sphere. Transparent or colored fluid can replace the diametri cally opposed internal bearings and pivots, thereby providing pivotable means with no limit of angle of axes around which the spheres may rotate. Each sphere may carry ornamental figures elements. These elements may be incorporated within the material of the sphere, or applied in various ways to the surfaces of the spheres. The ornamental figures may be transparent, translucent or opaque colored plastic shapes such as rings, discs, plates, or similar shapes. Colored fluid can also be used alone or in combination with the ornamental figure elements. A stand can be provided for the assembly of spheres. The assembly of spheres can be held in a persons hands and turned angularly in one direction and another repeatedly. When this is done the inner spheres will rotate with respect to the outer sphere so that the relative positions of the ornamental elements change. The changing of the positions of the ornamental elements and their final position when the assembly is replaced on the stand provides interesting displays.

The assembly of spheres can be mounted on an oscillating base. This will produce an optical display wherein the relative positions of the spheres and their ornamental elements change continuously. The attractiveness of the display can be enhanced by illuminating the moving spheres by a lamp forming part of the oscillating base or disposed outside the base. Some or all of ornamental elements can be incorporated within the material, painted or printed on the spheres.

Optical display devices embodying the invention can be used for decorative and advertising purposes. However, it is also possible to use the devices for physical therapy, for eye and hand training exercises, and for amusement purposes. I

Other and further features, objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description taken together with the drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is an oblique perspective view of an optical display device embodying the invention.

FIG. 2 is a reduced vertical cross sectional view taken on line 2-2 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a stand forming part of the device as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 4 is a reduced exploded perspective view showing parts of the outer, inner and innermost spheres of the device prior to assembly.

FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view showing how the parts of the innermost sphere is assembled.

FIG. 6 and 7 are exploded perspective views showing how the innermost sphere is assembled inside the inner or second sphere.

FIGS. 8 and 9 are exploded perspective views showing how theassembly of inner and innermost spheres is assembled within the outermost sphere.

FIG. 10 is a diametral sectional view of another assembly of spheres.

FIG. 1 l is a side view partially in section of an optical display device including a further assembly of spheres mounted on an oscillating base, with a lamp inside the stand supporting the spheres.

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line l2l2 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 13-13 of FIG. 12.

FIG. 14 is a fragmentary horizontal sectional view taken on line 14-14 of FIG. 11.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the optical display device similarly constructed to the one of FIGS. 1 to 9, shown on an oscillating table with an external illuminating lamp.

FIGS. l6, l7 and 18 are perspective views of hemispheres employed in assembling the spheres of the device.

FIG. 19 is a perspective view partially in section showing the construction of an ornamental disc employed in the optical display device.

FIGS. 20, 21, 22 and 23 are diagrammatic representations of an assembly of spheres showing different combinations in which the ornamental elements of assembly can be arranged.

Referring first to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an op tical display device 25. This device comprises three hollow, transparent spheres 26, 28, 30. The outermost sphere 26 has inner diametrically opposed circular portions 32 formed with recesses 34 to serve as bearings. Inner side face of circular portions 32 may be flat. Concentrically surrounding the circular portions 32 are rings 36 secured to the inner side of sphere 26 spaced angularly away from circular portions 32. Circular discs 40 may be secured to the inner side of the sphere inside of rings 36. The rings 36 and discs 40 may be transparent, translucent-or opaque and of the same or different colors. The transparent sphere 26 can be colored or clear. The rings and discs are illustrated as the same size but they can be different sizes, or combinations thereof. In any case the circular portions 32, rings and discs constitute ornamental elements of the device.

Sphere 28 which is rotatably disposed inside sphere 26 has a pair of diametrically opposed pintles 35 extending outwardly and engaged in recesses 34 to serve as pivot points. Sphere 28 is further decorated by concentric rings 42 and discs 44 arranged so that in at least one position of sphere 28 inside sphere 26, the rings and discs 42, 44 register with rings 36 and discs 40. Transparent sphere 28 may also be colored or clear, and the rings and discs 42, 44 may have colors which are the same as or different from those of the rings and discs 36, 40.

Sphere 28 is further provided with diametrically opposed recesses 46 in circular portions 47. The recesses 46 are spaced angularly from the pivots 35 and are located at the centers of circular portions 47. These recesses receive pintles or pivot pins 56 which extend outwardly of the innermost sphere 30 at diametrically opposite positions. Sphere 30 is thus rotatably supported in sphere 28 which is rotatably supported inside of sphere 26.

Sphere 30 is decorated like spheres 26 and 28, with a plurality of colored rings 52 concentrically surrounding discs 54, all secured to the inside of the sphere. The rings and discs 52, 54 are so arrayed that in at least one position of spheres 28 and 30 in sphere 26 all the rings and discs on the several spheres align or register with each other radially of the assembly of spheres. This array is shown clearly in FIGS. 1 and 2. The spheres are rigid structures and are all preferably made of a clear, colored, or combination of transparent plastic material such as an acrylic.

A stand 60 is shown provided for the assembly of spheres. This stand as clearly shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is a rigid block having an upper concave side 62 in which the assembly of spheres rests. The stand may have a plurality of feet 63 spaced apart to provide a stable structure. This stand may also be made of clear, colored, or combination of transparent plastic material to enhance the optical display.

It will be apparent that if the assembly of spheres is held in a person's hands and oscillated one or more times the inner spheres 28, 30 will turn on their pivots with respect to the outer sphere. This will cause the ornamental elements carried by the inner spheres to change their positions with respect to those of the outer sphere. As a result the optical display of ornamental elements can be changed at will in any attractive decorative way which may be desired.

FIG. 4 shows parts of a disassembled group of spheres 26a, 28a, 30a. The outermost, largest sphere 26a, comprises two hemispheres 26' and 26" The inner smaller sphere 28a comprises two smaller hemispheres 28', 28" and the smallest sphere 30a comprises two smaller hemisphere 30, 30'. Semicircular recesses 70a, 70b and 700 are formed in the several hemispheres to receive thin ornamental discs 40a, 44a and 54a. These discs can be cemented in place or press fitted. In this assembly only ornamental colored plastic discs are used. The rings 36, 42 and 52 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 are omitted. However when the rings are to be used they can be cemented to the hemispheres or placed in recesses 70a, 70b and 700. The discs 40a, 44a and 54a will then be replaced by smaller colored discs such as discs 40, 44 and 54 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The smaller discs will be cemented in place in the recesses concentric with the rings. The colored, centrally located circular discs 32a, 47a, and 75 may be integrally formed with the hemispheres or may be discs inserted in circular recesses 32', 47', 75' inside the hemispheres.

FIG. shows the smallest sphere 30a being assembled by superimposing hemisphere 30' on hemisphere 30'. The discs 540 will overlap the joint between the hemispheres whose peripheral edges 80 will be cemented together. Thus, the discs 54a will fit into registering recesses in both hemispheres. Pivot pins or pintles 50 extend outwardly of the hemispheres.

FIG. 6 shows sphere 30a completely assembled. Hemisphere 28' is being placed over sphere 30a. Pivot pins 50 will engage in central recesses 46 of two discs 44a extending outwardly from peripheral edge 82 of the hemisphere. FIG. 7 shows hemisphere 28" being assembled with hemisphere 28 to complete the assembly of spheres 28a and a. The discs 44a of both hemispheres 28 and 28" will be interfitted with recesses 70b in the respective hemispheres and edges 82 will be cemented together. Pivot pins will extend outwardly of the assembled sphere 280 at diametrically opposite positions.

FIG. 8 shows hemisphere 26' being mounted on the assembly of spheres 28a, 30a. Pivot pins 35 will engage in recesses 34a of discs a extending outwardly of the hemisphere beyond peripheral edge 84. FIG. 9 shows hemisphere 26" being mounted on the assembly of hemisphere 26 and spheres 28a, 30a to complete the assembly of sphere 26a. Discs 40a which extend outwardly of edges 84 of the hemispheres will be interfitted in recesses a of the opposed hemispheres and edges 84 will be cemented together. This completes the assembly of spheres 26a, 28a and 30a.

FIG. 10 shows another assembly of spheres, 26b, 28b and 30b, which is somewhat different from that previously described. Instead of pivot pins, spheres 28b and 30b are floating in liquids and 81. Rings 35' and 50' are formed in 360 on the inner surface of spheres 26b and 28b respectively. Corresponding grooves 34' and 46' are formed in the outer surface of spheres 28b and 30b. Above rings and grooves limit spheres 28b and 30b to a single axial rotation per sphere. The axes of spheres 28b and 30b are formed in 90 to each other. The spheres are assembled by securing hemispheres together, and ornamental discs are provided all in a manner similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 4-9.

FIGS. 11, 12, 13 and 14 show another optical display device 25A. This device has an assembly of concentric mutually rotatable hollow transparent spheres 26c, 28c and 300 mounted on the upper concave side 62a of a stand 60a. The stand has a central hole 85 in which is disposed a lamp 86 carried by a socket 88 mounted on top 90 of a turntable 92. The stand rests on the top of the turntable Rubber rings 82 and 83, mounted on top and bottom of stand 60A respectively, prevent slipping between sphere assembly, stand and turntable. The turntable carries a central axial sleeve 94 engaged on an upstanding axial post 96 secured to stationary base plate 98. An arm 90 extends radially outward of sleeve 94 and is pivotally engaged by a link 100. Link 100 is pivotally attached to a pin 102 on a rotating worm gear 104. The gear is engaged by worm 106 driven by a motor 108. The motor is energized by a suitable source of electric power applied via power cord I10 and transformer 112; see FIG. 13. By this arrangement the turntable, stand and spheres oscillate or turn back and forth on a vertical axis while gear 104 rotates continuously in one direction. Lamp 86 is energized by wires 114 connected to transformer 112.

During the operation of motor 106, the outermost sphere 260 will oscillate with the stand and turntable. However the inner spheres will turn on pivot pins 35c and 500 which are axially aligned with the vertical axis of the device. Both sets of pins 350 and 50c at the top and bottom of the assembly of spheres are integrally formed with inner sphere 28c and extend into recesses 34c and 46c formed in inner and outer sides of spheres 26c and 30c respectively; see FIG. 12. Protrusions 37 and 37' are diametrically disposed around pin 35 on the outer surface of sphere 28c. Corresponding protrusions 38 and 38 are also diametrically disposed around recess 34 on the inner surface of sphere 26c. Above protrusions serve as stops and allow little less than 180 relative rotation between spheres 26c and 28c. Thus when sphere 26c changes direction of rotation, sphere 28c continues to rotate in same direction until protrusions 37, 37' and 38, 38 change it. Sphere 30c stays in a relatively stable position. Ornamental design 39 is disposed within material of spheres, and is shown with red color code although a number of different color combinations on each sphere may be used. Spheres 26c, 28c and 300 carry differently colored rings 36c, 42c and 520 which will assume random positions with respect to each other as shown in FIG. 11 or which can be aligned with each other in a manner similar to that shown in FIG. 1. The continuously changing ornamental display provides an interesting, attractive and decorative spectacle when the motor is running and the spheres are oscillating.

FIG. 15 shows optical display device 258 further provided with an external projection lamp 120 to illuminate the oscillating spheres. As the axes of spheres 28d and d are 90 to each other sphere assembly should be placed on stand 60b in such position that neither axis of spheres 28d and 30d is horizontal or vertical. At 4545 both above spheres oscillate at equal speeds when outer sphere 26d oscillates. However when sphere assembly is placed on stand in such position that the axis of sphere 28d is in a smaller angle to the horizontal level, for example 30-60, sphere 28d will rotate at a greater rate than sphere 30d. Thus a variety of different rotational speeds can be affected to different spheres by just placing sphere assembly in different position on stand 60b. Lamp 120 can be used in place of inside lamp 86 or to supplement lamp 86. Lamp 120 can project a differently colored light from that of lamp 86 to heighten the spectacular effect.

FIGS. 16, 17 and 18 show three typical transparent plastic hemispheres which can be used in making an assembly of spheres such as shown in FIGS. 49. The smallest hemisphere 30 shown in FIG. 16 has semicircular inner recesses 70 which receive discs 54a and an inner central recess 75' which receives disc 75. Pin 50 extends outwardly of the center of the hemisphere. The next larger hemisphere 28' shown in FIG. 17 has semicircular recesses 70b which receive discs 44a and a central circular recess 47' which receives disc 47a. Pin extends radially outward of the center of this hemisphere. The largest hemisphere 26' shown in FIG. 18 has semicircular recesses 70a to receive discs a and another circular recess 32' to receive disc 32a.

FIG. 19 shows a typical disc 40a which can be made of metal or plastic in any desired color. The disc has a central recess 46 to receive pivot pin 35.

FIGS. 2023 are diagrams showing different optical effects which can be produced when the ornamental rings or disc on the spheres in assembly 130 are aligned in different radial positions. Each sphere is equipped with three pairs of circular ornaments. Each pair consisting of a dark and a light circle being placed on same axis but diametrically opposite side of sphere. The axes of the three pairs are in 90 to each other. There are sixteen combinations in which all the circles in the three spheres can be lined up along three axes. Seven of these combinations are shown in FIG. 20 where a single array of light rings 132 IS aligned with a single array of dark rings 134 on one diametral axis A, B or C, while other aligned rings have different color combinations. Five of sixteen combinations are shown in FIG. 21 where two arrays of light rings 132 are aligned with two arrays of dark rings 134 on two axes A and B, B and C or A and C while other rings are aligned in different color combinations. Three of 16 combinations are shown in FIG. 22 where rings 132, 134 are aligned with each other but here each pair of light rings 132 is aligned with a dark ring 134 and each pair of dark rings is aligned with a light ring 132. The only one of sixteen combinations is shown in FIG. 23 where three sets of light rings 132 are radially aligned with on three axes A, B and C and three sets of dark rings are radially aligned on the same axes. It is obvious to see that lining up a group of three dark and three light rings along one axis is the easiest task, while lining up groups of three dark and three light rings along three axes is the most difficult task. Thus it has been shown that the sphere assembly can be used as a puzzle game by trying to line up a desired combination of arrays. In all forms of the invention described, the optical effects are produced by the many and variable positions which the ornamental elements carried by the mutually rotatable spheres can assume. Although rings and discs are shown, it will be understood that ornamental figures of other shapes can be provided. The spheres can be manually or automatically oscillated or turned to produce the varying optical effects. The spheres can be made in different sizes and colors depending on the display requirements. Although assemblies of three spheres have been illustrated, it will be understood that an optical display can be produced with two, three four, five or more mutually rotatable concentric spheres.

What is claimed is:

1. An optical display device comprising an assembly of three concentric spheres defining inner, middle and outer spheres, with at least said middle and outer spheres being light transmissive and hollow, first pivot means rotatably mounting said inner sphere inside said middle sphere and similar second pivot means rotatably mounting said middle sphere within said outer sphere, said first and second pivot means being angularly spaced apart so that axes of rotation of said inner and middle spheres are angularly disposed with respect to each other, each of said spheres comprising two hemispheres, each of said hemispheres having two semicircular recesses in their inner faces extending from their peripheral edges and diametrically opposed to one another, circular discs fitted in the joined recesses of mating hemispheres and secured thereto to hold the hemispheres together to provide the sphere, said circular discs joining said hemispheres of said middle and outer spheres having pintle-receiving recesses in the inner faces, said inner and middle spheres having diametrically opposed. pintles extending outwardly thereof and respectively engaging the respective recesses of the pintle receiving recesses of said middle and outer spheres.

2. An optical display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner sphere and circular discs are also formed of material that transmits light. 

1. An optical display device comprising an assembly of three concentric spheres defining inner, middle and outer spheres, with at least said middle and outer spheres being light transmissive and hollow, first pivot means rotatably mounting said inner sphere inside said middle sphere and similar second pivot means rotatably mounting said middle sphere within said outer sphere, said first and second pivot means being angularly spaced apart so that axes of rotation of said inner and middle spheres are angularly disposed with respect to each other, each of said spheres comprising two hemispheres, each of said hemispheres having two semicircular recesses in their inner faces extending from their peripheral edges and diametrically opposed to one another, circular discs fitted in the joined recesses of mating hemispheres and secured thereto to hold the hemispheres together to provide the sphere, said circular discs joining said hemispheres of said middle and outer spheres having pintlereceiving recesses in the inner faces, said inner and middle spheres having diametrically opposed pintles extending outwardly thereof and respectively engaging the respective recesses of the pintle receiving recesses of said middle and outer spheres.
 2. An optical display device as defined in claim 1 wherein said inner sphere and circular discs are also formed of material that transmits light. 